Miss Washington USA resigns title after DUI disclosure

By Christine Clarridge
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Updated Jan 15, 2016 at 8:17 PM

SEATTLE — Stormy Keffeler, crowned Miss Washington USA in October, resigned her title Thursday amid a scandal that she did not disclose a drunken-driving conviction before the pageant, according to an official with the Miss Washington USA Pageant.

First runner-up Kelsey Schmidt will assume the title immediately, according to Maureen Francisco, co-executive producer of Northwest Productions and Miss Washington USA. Schmidt will represent the state at the USA event later this year.

In an interview Thursday, Francisco urged people not to judge Keffeler, saying, “This is a very unfortunate incident, but I want people to remember some of the things they did at 20. We all do stupid things.”

Keffeler, 23, could not be reached for comment.

According to Seattle police, Keffeler was stopped by police on April 7, 2015, while driving a car with two flat tires.

Documents filed in Seattle Municipal Court indicate her blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit for driving and Keffeler pleaded guilty to DUI in September.

She was sentenced to two days in jail, which she served in the Kirkland jail, the records show.

Hailing from Monroe, Wash., Keffeler also is a football player for the Seattle Mist of the Legends Football League — a women's 7-on-7 tackle football league in which games are played in the spring and summer at NBA, NFL, NHL and MLS arenas and stadiums.

The concept of the LFL originated from a 2004 alternative Super Bowl halftime television special called the Lingerie Bowl, a pay-per-view event broadcast opposite the Super Bowl halftime show.

Keffeler was one of the Mist’s rookies during their 2013 season which saw them grab their first division title. Trying out among a field of 500 women, she earned a roster spot as a center and linebacker. In three games, Keffeler accumulated 2.5 tackles in limited playing time.

In March 2013, she was crowned Miss Washington Miss while Claire Sorgen of Sultan was crowned Miss Washington Preteen at the annual Miss Washington International Junior Miss pageant.

Competing in the 2014 Miss Washington USA beauty pageant, she was looking to become the first female football player to participate in the pageant’s semi-finals.